Rockhill Rendezvous 2013

This year our Airstreams ranged from a 1954 Globetrotter to a new 5 berth European International. It was Dolly, new to Rockhill, the Globetrotter that won this year's Open House, People's Favourite prize. The glass bauble is so sweet and delicate, and a tiny prize really, but it's just a little gesture, a bit of fun. I would expect that we each love our own Airstreams the best, but on the whole people don't vote for themselves (on the whole!!!). And our favourite vote slip this year said, "My favourite Airstream belongs to... everyone's)

Numbers were down this year, sadly. We had explanations and apologies from most absentees, and we missed them. As I'm sure I've said before, you get a growing core group of Airstream buddies who come to the gatherings, then we have newbies who join that core group, and some who try it once or twice before deciding it's just too much fun and we don't see them again. Some dip in now and then, some come to every meet. It's a very fluid sort of community. This year seven of the Airstreams were newbies, and they fitted right in. What a lovely sight, seeing new people being welcomed into the group. Not everyone finds it easy to break into an established crowd, and it's up to all of us to make the effort to help them feel a part of it as quickly as possible. This year I think that worked really well. Over time proper friendships get forged, and even future travel buddies hatch their plans.

Our trusty marquee came in very handy this year, with the weather trying, and failing, to spoil our fun. Actually, I think that contributed to us spending more time all together.

At this point I ought to mention the meeting that we had to discuss the future of UKAirstreamers. It was a good turnout. Pete and I had thought that we would be handing over the running of UKA, worried that there might be a perceived conflict of interest, now that we're servicing Airstreams. But the gathered Airstreamers let us know that they don't see a problem with that and they want us to continue. We really weren't expecting that, agreed to go away and think about how we can manage to do that, and the topic continues to be discussed for a limited time on the forum.

Anyway, that was just the serious, business end of the weekend. The rest was the usual abundance of warmth and enjoyment and beautiful countryside, topped off with those shiny Airstreams that are the random element that brings it and us all together.

Win an Airstream!

Open House at Rockhill Rendezvous is a couple of hours on the Saturday when everyone gets to mosey and nosey around each other's Airstreams and admire the ways they have been preserved, restored, upgraded and adorned.

Like everything at the Rendezvous it's just a bit of fun, and in that spirit we decided last year to present a tiny but perfect prize for the 'peoples favourite'. We couldn't think of anything more small yet perfectly formed than an Airstream bauble from Vintage Vacations. It is an exclusive and proper glass bauble, designed just for them. They have generously donated this year's prize, it arrived in the post today and it is up for grabs for whichever Airstream wins, for whatever reasons (we just count the votes!). 

Rendezvous Return

Is this our annual blog post? Well our travels may have slowed temporarily, but the Airstream Gatherings go on. And here we are again, preparing for another Rockhill Rendezvous. Another long weekend of great company, Airstreamy chat, shiny beasts, drinking, dancing, putting the world to right around a campfire, pampering, knitting, exchanging news and views on all things Airstream. Did I miss anything? Probably. There's a lot going on in our heads at the moment.

We were very fortunate to have a small but perfectly productive team of helpers with us this weekend, and we got the marquee up, plus most of the bunting and string lights. It's a great start and has given the preparations a real boost.